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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This has been on my TBR since 2013, and I'm glad I finally read it. However, on the heels of a reread of Anna Karenina it falls a little flat in comparison. The Victorian prudishness is on full display, and in comparison to the big feelings in AK, the issues feel so petty. Maybe that's the point and I'm missing it. Still, it was a very enjoyable read.
This book is packed with beautiful sentences and striking observations, sometimes tongue in cheek. It is a very long story, it lacks a bit of focus. It comes across as clinical, it is difficult to sympathise with people. Towards the end it increasingly takes on the characteristics of a romantic soap opera. 3½ stars.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A novel like no other! The best book I’ve read (so far) in my life.
challenging
emotional
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay, so brevity is not a hallmark of this classic (lol), but honestly worth the commitment. For all their flaws, I loved the characters and Eliot’s commentary on society.
“We mortals, men and women, devour many a disappointment between breakfast and dinner-time; keep back the tears and look a little pale about the lips, and in answer to inquiries say, "Oh, nothing!" Pride helps; and pride is not a bad thing when it only urges us to hide our hurts— not to hurt others.”
“And, of course men know best about everything, except what women know better.”
“‘I should like to make life beautiful--I mean everybody's life. And then all this immense expense of art, that seems somehow to lie outside life and make it no better for the world, pains one. It spoils my enjoyment of anything when I am made to think that most people are shut out from it.’
‘I call that the fanaticism of sympathy,’ said Will, impetuously. ‘You might say the same of landscape, of poetry, of all refinement. If you carried it out you ought to be miserable in your own goodness, and turn evil that you might have no advantage over others. The best piety is to enjoy--when you can. You are doing the most then to save the earth's character as an agreeable planet. And enjoyment radiates. It is of no use to try and take care of all the world; that is being taken care of when you feel delight--in art or in anything else. Would you turn all the youth of the world into a tragic chorus, wailing and moralising over misery? I suspect that you have some false belief in the virtues of misery, and want to make your life a martyrdom.’”
“‘You have disappointed all so. And I can’t think that it ever will be — you never can go and live in that way. And then there are all your plans. You never can have thought of that. James would have taken any trouble for you, and you might have him on all your life doing what you liked.’
‘On the contrary, dear,’ said Dorothea, ‘I never could do anything that I liked.’”
“We mortals, men and women, devour many a disappointment between breakfast and dinner-time; keep back the tears and look a little pale about the lips, and in answer to inquiries say, "Oh, nothing!" Pride helps; and pride is not a bad thing when it only urges us to hide our hurts— not to hurt others.”
“And, of course men know best about everything, except what women know better.”
“‘I should like to make life beautiful--I mean everybody's life. And then all this immense expense of art, that seems somehow to lie outside life and make it no better for the world, pains one. It spoils my enjoyment of anything when I am made to think that most people are shut out from it.’
‘I call that the fanaticism of sympathy,’ said Will, impetuously. ‘You might say the same of landscape, of poetry, of all refinement. If you carried it out you ought to be miserable in your own goodness, and turn evil that you might have no advantage over others. The best piety is to enjoy--when you can. You are doing the most then to save the earth's character as an agreeable planet. And enjoyment radiates. It is of no use to try and take care of all the world; that is being taken care of when you feel delight--in art or in anything else. Would you turn all the youth of the world into a tragic chorus, wailing and moralising over misery? I suspect that you have some false belief in the virtues of misery, and want to make your life a martyrdom.’”
“‘You have disappointed all so. And I can’t think that it ever will be — you never can go and live in that way. And then there are all your plans. You never can have thought of that. James would have taken any trouble for you, and you might have him on all your life doing what you liked.’
‘On the contrary, dear,’ said Dorothea, ‘I never could do anything that I liked.’”
Some books from this time period are so overly wordy and slow, but this one, while long, really moved along. Great characterizations, very lifelike people. Felt like I recognized some of them. Might move to a 5 if I ever reread it.
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mary Garth is the best. That’s my review.
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes